Door actuating mechanism for laundry dryer



F. W. GRANTHAM DOOR ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY DRYER Jan. 7, 1964 Filed April 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FREoEmcK VLGRANTHAM FKe.

ATTORNEY Jan- 7, 1964 F. w. GRANTHAM DOOR ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY DRYER Filed April 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MM w m R :DM m F Jan. 7, 1964 F. W. GRANTHAM DOOR ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY DRYER Filed April 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FRF oemK W. GRANTHAQ'A ATTORNEY 1954 F. w. GRANTHAM DOOR ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRYlJRYER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 28, 1960 FUELS I NVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,116,903 DOSR ACTUATING MECSM FDR LAUNDRY DRYER Frederick W. Grantham, Hollywood, Calif assignor to The T. L. Smith Company, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Apr. 28, 1960, Ser- No. 25,426 6 Claims. (1. 248-134) This invention relates to door actuating apparatus for an automatic laundry dryer and more particularly to such an apparatus for a large commercial type dryer.

Prior to this invention the dryer door was opened and closed by means, such as a pneumatic cylinder, which operated independently of the apparatus which tilts the dryer housing between load, operating and discharge positions. With this arrangement the movements of the housing and door were synchronized by means of a plurality of limit switches.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a simplified, more reliable door actuating apparatus which is actuated directly in response to relative movement of the housing on the frame without the need of a separate power source or electrical controls.

The object of this invention is attained by a door actuating apparatus which is mechanically actuated directly by the housing as it is tilted either rearwardly or forwardly on its frame from operating position to load or discharge positions. The apparatus includes a door support link pivotally mounted on the housing having a dryer door assembly pivotally mounted on the link for swinging movement between closed and open positions as the link is pivoted on the housing.

A mechanical actuating mechanism is provided to pivot the link to open the door assembly when the housing is tilted either rearwardly or forwardly on the frame. Such mechanism includes a pair of actuating rods pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the support link. The actuating rods are slidably fitted in a pair of sleeves which are pivotally mounted on the support link on opposite sides of its pivotal connection to the housing. Each rod has an adjustable stop member mounted thereon which will engage a sleeve and pivot the link when the housing is tilted in either direction.

A stabilizer link is provided to prevent interference of the door assembly with the housing as the door is opened. The stabilizer link is pivotally mounted on the housing and pivotally connected to the door assembly and is adapted to pivot the door with respect to the support link as the support link is pivoted on the housing to open the door.

To insure that the door will follow the actuating mechanism upon return tilting of the housing, a resilient stop member for the door is provided. Such stop member is positioned for engagement by the door stabilizing link as the door is swung to its fully open position. Thus, as return tilting of the housing occurs, the stop member will urge the door towards closed position and thereby prevent the door from hanging up in open position temporarily and then closing with great force.

Further refinements of the invention include means for adjusting the fit of the door when in closed position.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or be apparent from the specification and claims, as will obvious modifications of the single embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an automatic clothes dryer (in operating position) with a door actuating apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views similar to FIG. 1 with the dryer in load and discharge positions, respectively; and

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views 3,1 16,903 Patented Jan. 7, 1964 taken along lines 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7, respectively, of FIG. 1.

eferring now to the drawings in detail, the automatic clothes dryer shown therein includes a housing 10 pivotally mounted on a frame 12 at pivot points 14. A perforated metal basket 16 (shown in dotted lines) in which the clothes are dried, is rotatably mounted in housing It) and driven by an electric motor (not shown) mounted in the rear of the housing. The clothes in the rotating basket are dried by hot air heated by a suitable burner unit and circulated to the drying chamber by any suitable blower and duct arrangement. As stated above, the present invention, although not limited thereto, is designed for use on large commercial type dryers having a load capacity on the order of 200 lb. (dry weight).

Basket 16 is fitted with a door ring 18 which defines the opening through which the machine is loaded and unloaded. A dryer door 29 adapted for engagement with ring 18 is rotatably mounted on a door bracket 22 to permit rotation of the door with the basket during operation of the machine when in the operating position shown in FIG. 1. Housing it) is pivoted on frame 12 about points 14 between a load position (FIG. 2), an operating position (FIG. 1), and a discharge position (FIG. 3) by any suitable means such as a plurality of pneumatic cylinders (not shown) mounted on the frame to the rear of the housing.

Door bracket 22 (and door 20) is actuated between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an open position (FIGS. 2 and 3) as the housing is tilted on the frame by a door actuating apparatus indicated generally by reference numeral 24. Preferably, the door actuating apparatus 24 shown in the drawings is duplicated on the opposite side of the machine but since the arrangement is the same on both sides only one mechanism will be described.

The door is pivotally supported on the housing by a door support link 26 pivotally mounted on the side of housing 10 at a pivot point 28 (FIG. 4) and pivotally connected to one side of door bracket 22 at a pivot point 30 (FIG. 6). The details of the pivot bearing assemblies at points 28 and 30 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when link 26 is pivoted counterclockwise about point 28 from the position shown in FIG. 1, the door assembly will be swung upwardly from door ring 18 to a position above housing It) to thereby permit access to basket 16. The pivotal movement of link 26 is guided with respect to the side of the housing by a guide bar 31 welded to the housing as shown in FIG. 7.

Door support link 26 is pivoted to open the door as the housing is tilted either backward or forward on the frame by a mechanical actuating mechanism which includes a pair of actuating rods or members 32, 34 pivotally mounted at fixed pivot points 35, 38, respectively, on frame 12 as shown. Actuating rods 32, 34 are operatively connected to support arm 26 to cause the arm to rotate on the housing when the housing is tilted (in either direction) by a pair of guide sleeve members 40, 42 pivotally mounted on link 26 and a pair of adjustable stop collars 44, is mounted on rods 32, 34, respectively. The details of one of the pivotally mounted guide sleeves is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, guide sleeve member 40 for rod 32 is mounted on link 26 between pivot points 28 and 30 while guide sleeve 42 for rod 34 is pivotally mounted on an end portion 48 of the link on the opposite side of pivot point 28 from point 39. It is also noted that stop collar 44 on rod 32 is mounted between pivot 36 and sleeve 40 while stop collar 46 on rod 34 is mounted near the end of the rod on the other side of sleeve 42 from pivot 38.

With the above described arrangement, when housing 16 is tilted back about pivot 14 from operating position (FIG. 1) to load position (FIG. 2) the relative movement of the housing with respect to rod 32 will cause sleeve 49 to slide downwardly on rod 32 until stop 44 contacts the sleeve. Continued tilting of the housing after contact is made will impart a counterclockwise rotation to support link 26 to thereby swing door 26 to the open position shown in PEG. 2. Similarly, when housing 1i is tilted forward on the frame from operating position (FIG. 1) to discharge position (FIG. 3) the relative movement of the housing with respect to rod 34 will cause sleeve 42 to slide upwardly on rod 34 until stop 4-6 contacts the sleeve. Continued tilting of the housing after contact is made will rotate support link 26 in a counterclockwise direction to thereby swing door 26 to the open position shown in FIG. 3. The position of the stop members can be adjusted on the actuating rods to facilitate adjustment of the degree of angular moveent of support link 26 for any given amount of housing tilt. To prevent interference between door 253 and the housing when the door is swung open, some means must be provided to pivot the door about point 349 with respect to link 26. This is accomplished by a door stabilizer link 50 pivotally mounted on the side of housing at a pivot point 52 (adjacent point 28) and pivotally connected to one side of door bracket 22 at a pivot point 54 (adjacent point 36). The details of the pivot hearing assemblies at points 52, 54 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively. Thus, it is seen that when support link 26 is pivoted upwardly by either rod 32 or 34-, stabilizer arm 5% will cause door to pivot about point 39 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in the drawings) to thereby prevent interference between the top edge of the door and the top of the housing.

Due to the geometry of the door actuating apparatus 24, the center of gravity of the door assembly will get behind pivot point 28 of support link 26 when the housing is tilted to load position (FIG. 2). When this occurs sleeve 46 on link 26 will not follow stop 44 on rod 32 upon initial return tilting of the housing but instead the door and its support link will remain stationary until the housing is almost back to operating position (FIG. 1) at which time the door will swing shut with great force causing undue stress on the parts and reating a safety hazard.

To initiate the proper closing action for door 22 and mechanism 24 as the housing is tilted back to operating position, a spring loaded stop assembly 55 is provided on the housing. Stop assembly 56 includes a stop rod 58 slidably mounted in a bracket 6d and biased toward extended position (FIG. 1) by a coil compression spring 62. Thus, as the door is swung to open position by either rearward or forward tilting of the housing, stabilizer link 5t will contact the end of stop member 58 and slide the stop in bracket 6% against the bias of spring 62. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when door 29 has reached its fully open position in either load or discharge position, spring 62 will be compressed to some extent. Thus, as the housing is returned to operating position (FIG. 1), stop 5% will impart an initial closing motion to mechanism 24 and thereby insure that the door and the support and stabilizer links will follow stops 44- and 46 on actuating rods 32 and 34 to provide a smooth and gradual closing action.

Thus, as the door is swung to open position by either rearward or forward tilting of the housing, stabilizer link 50 will contact the end of stop member 58 and slide the stop in bracket 60 against the bias of spring 62. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when door 20 has reached its fully open position in either load or discharge position, spring 62 will be compressed to some extent. Thus, as the housing is returned to operating position (FIG. 1), stop 58 will impart an initial closing motion to mechanism 24 to a point where gravity can take over and complete the closing of the door with a fairly smooth and gradual action.

The fit of door 2% on door ring 18 can be adjusted by an adjustable stop member 64 mounted on housing 10 and adapted for engagement by support link 26 as shown in FIG. 1. By adjusting member 64 upwardly, for example, door 2t} can be moved outward upwardly slightly from ring 18. The vertical position of door 26 on ring 18 can be adjusted independently of its horizontal position by providing elongated holes es and 68 in door bracket 22 as clearly shown in FIG. 6. Thus, it is seen that by loosening nuts 7t) and '72 at pivots 39 and 54-, respectively, the relative position of door bracket 22 can be adjusted vertically with respect to links 26 and 58.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a dryer:

a frame;

a housing pivotally mounted on said frame for tilting rearwardly from an operating position to a load position and then forwardly from an operating position to a discharge position;

a door support link pivotally mounted on said housing;

a door assembly pivotally mounted on said link and adapted to swing between closed and open positions as said link is pivoted on said housing;

actuating means operatively connected between said frame and said link and operable in response to relative motion between said housing and said frame to pivot said link and open said door when the housing is tilted either rearwardly or forwardly on said frame, said actuating means including first and second actuating members pivotally mounted on said frame; and

connecting means for operatively connecting said door support link to said actuating members, said connecting means eifective to alternately operatively connect said link with one or the other of said actuating members as said housing is pivoted either rearwardly or forwardly on said frame.

2. In a dryer according to claim 1 in which said connecting means includes first and second sleeve members pivotally mounted on said door support link through which said first and second actuating members are slidably positioned, and a stop member mounted on each of said actuating members, one or the other of said stop members adapted for engagement with its associated sleeve member as said housing is tilted either forwardly or rearwardly on said frame.

3. In a dryer:

a frame;

a housing pivotally mounted on said frame for tilting from an operating position;

a door support link pivotally mounted on said housing;

a door assembly pivotally mounted on said link and adapted to swing between closed and open positions as said link is pivoted on said housing;

actuating means operatively connected between said frame and said link and operable in response to relative motion between said housing and said frame to pivot said link and open said door when the housing is tilted from its operating position on said frame, said actuating means including an actuating member pivotally mounted on said frame; and

connecting means for operatively connecting said door support link to said actuating member, said connecting means effective to operatively connect said link with said actuating member as said housing is pivoted on said frame.

4. In a dryer according to claim 3 in which said conmeeting means includes a sleeve member pivotally mounted on said door support link through which said actuating member is slidably positioned, and a stop member mounted on said actuating member and adapted for engagement with said sleeve member as said housing is tilted on said frame.

5. In a dryer:

a frame;

a housing pivotally mounted on said frame for tilting from an operating position;

a door support link pivotally mounted on said housing;

a door assembly pivotally mounted on said link and adapted to swing between closed and open positions as said link is pivoted on said housing;

actuating means operatively connected between said frame and said link and operable in response to relative motion between said housing and said frame a resilient stop means for said door assembly adapted to urge said door assembly and support link from open position toward closed position as said housing is returned to operating position to thereby cause said door to follow said actuating mechanism upon return tilting of the housing.

6. In a dryer according to claim 5 in which said resilient stop means includes a stop member slidably mounted on said housing and biased in one direction with respect to said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 768,579 Bragunier Aug. 30, 1904 1,292,006 Minter Jan. 21, 1919 1,732,164 Jones Oct. 15, 1929 1,813,516 Templeton July 7, 1931 1,967,346 Barnby July 24, 1934 2,255,028 Long Sept. 2, 1941 2,563,963 Rockburg Aug. 14, 1951 2,639,601 Miller May 26, 1953 2,701,112 Powers Feb. 1, 1955 2,807,460 Guimont Sept. 24, 1957 3,058,330 Grantham Oct. 16, 1962 

1. IN A DRYER: A FRAME; A HOUSING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR TILTING REARWARDLY FROM AN OPERATING POSITION TO A LOAD POSITION AND THEN FORWARDLY FROM AN OPERATING POSITION TO A DISCHARGE POSITION; A DOOR SUPPORT LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING; A DOOR ASSEMBLY PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID LINK AND ADAPTED TO SWING BETWEEN CLOSED AND OPEN POSITIONS AS SAID LINK IS PIVOTED ON SAID HOUSING; ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND SAID LINK AND OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN SAID HOUSING AND SAID FRAME TO PIVOT SAID LINK AND OPEN SAID DOOR WHEN THE HOUSING IS TILTED EITHER REARWARDLY OR FORWARDLY ON SAID FRAME, SAID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND ACTUATING MEMBERS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME; AND CONNECTING MEANS FOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID DOOR SUPPORT LINK TO SAID ACTUATING MEMBERS, SAID CONNECTING MEANS EFFECTIVE TO ALTERNATELY OPERATIVELY CONNECT SAID LINK WITH ONE OR THE OTHER OF SAID ACTUATING MEMBERS AS SAID HOUSING IS PIVOTED EITHER REARWARDLY OR FORWARDLY ON SAID FRAME. 